Extended File Attributes

The UFS, NFS, and TMPFS file systems have been enhanced to include extended
file attributes. Extended file attributes enable application developers to
associate specific attributes to a file. For example, a developer of an application
used to manage a windowing system might choose to associate a display icon
with a file. Extended file attributes are logically represented as files within
a hidden directory that is associated with the target file.

You can use the runat command to add attributes and
execute shell commands in the extended attribute namespace. This namespace
is a hidden attribute directory that is associated with the specified file.

To use the runat command to add attributes to a file,
you first have to create the attributes file.

Many Solaris file system commands have been modified to support file
system attributes by providing an attribute-aware option. Use this option
to query, copy, or find file attributes. For more information, see the specific
man page for each file system command.